Chapter Eleven: Her Father's Tooth

Pre-Reading Reading Discussion:

• Have you ever spoken in front of a group of people?
• What was the experience like for you?
• What did you tell them?
• What memorable speakers have you heard?
• Why did they leave an impression on you?

Vocabulary:

• adornment (p.247)
• collaboration (p.253)
• provisions (p.255)
• condemnation (p.256)
• impoverished (p.265)

Read:

Chapter Eleven

Post-Reading Discussion:

• What does Mercer struggle with during her speaking tour?
• How is she received by her listeners?
• What parts of her talk did you find most memorable?
• Why did those sections stand out for you?
• What has Mercer finally managed to do by the end of the chapter?
• What do you think are the characteristics of a good public speaker?

Writing Activity:

Write down your memories of an experience that you might like to tell others about.

• Why is this experience important to you?
• What did you learn from the experience?
• What would you want others to learn from your story?